PBR Community Mourns Loss of Beloved Super Fan Jolene Delgado

COSTA MESA, Calif. – Jolene Delgado, a cherished figure in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) community, passed away on Thursday at the age of 63 after a battle with cancer. Known for her vibrant personality and love for the sport, Delgado left an indelible mark on friends and peers alike.

Delgado, a devoted fan for 17 years, never missed the PBR event in Sacramento, a trip she made annually from her hometown of Costa Mesa. But this year, her absence was felt as she fought cancer from home. Her influence on the PBR scene was profound, with bull stock contractor Chad Berger honoring her memory by naming a young bull “Jolene’s Dream.” During the event, its first match showcased Mason Taylor, an emotional tribute presented on CBS broadcasts.

“She made it a party wherever she went,” recalled good friend Dee Young. “Jolene was a person who loved hard and never met a stranger. The arena feels different without her.” Fans and fellow riders echoed Young’s sentiments, expressing collective heartbreak at the loss of someone whose laughter filled a room.

Delgado’s impact knew no bounds; she was part of a group known as “Flint’s Final 7,” recognized for unwavering loyalty to PBR’s official entertainer. Jerret Strong, PBR’s head of sponsor fulfillment, reflected on their friendship, recalling how she lit up the professional bull riding circuit. Their first encounter at the Sacramento event in 2006 sparked a decade-long friendship marked by laughter and shared experiences.

“She had this way of evolving every moment into a celebration,” said Strong. “Even early on, when we all gathered for a ride back to the events, she would always be right at the forefront, eager to jump in and engage.” The duo frequently traveled together with another friend, Dee Wallace, sharing hotel rooms and forging deep connections despite the physical distance between them.

As an educator, Delgado balanced her passion for bull riding with her career as a special education administrator, often juggling three jobs to make her way to PBR events. Her dedication to the sport was underscored by her enthusiasm for riders, especially Brazilian talent like Robson Palermo and Joao Ricardo Vieira, whom she affectionately called her “retirement plans.”

Even as she battled the illness and endured painful treatments, Delgado remained a steadfast PBR supporter, concerned about maintaining her loyalty program points in the midst of her challenges. “At one point, she said, ‘I just want to make sure I earn my points.’ You’d think she was a child on a playground,” explained PBR’s Senior Loyalty Ambassador Lisa Merrick.

Delgado’s energy and spirit were evident at numerous events, where she was known for her exuberance and kind-hearted nature. Fellow riders began sending well wishes as her health declined, including early PBR favorite Rocky McDonald who reached out to her directly. Her bravery in the face of adversity inspired countless others.

As the PBR community grapples with her passing, many realize that while the events will continue, the joy that Delgado brought to the sport cannot be replaced. “She didn’t need that tattoo that said ‘Party of One’ because her personality drew everyone towards her,” noted Rick Storm, a fellow fan who met her in 2019.

In tribute to her vibrant spirit, Delgado’s daughter Rayvn Kostenbader carries a piece of her mother with a tattoo of Robson Palermo’s face on her leg, symbolizing the joy and influence her mother had in the PBR community. As Delgado’s friends, family, and fellow fans gather to celebrate her life, her legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate at future PBR events.